The Federal Government has recalled its ambassador to France for consultations after Paris implemented new visa restrictions targeting Nigerian nationals, in what Abuja described as a unilateral and discriminatory policy.
The French government’s decision to require additional documentation and biometric data from Nigerian visa applicants drew a sharp rebuke from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which summoned the French Charge d’Affaires to explain the measure.
President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review bilateral agreements with France and explore reciprocal measures, according to a presidency spokesman.
The diplomatic spat comes at a sensitive time, with Nigeria-France relations already strained over differing positions on the political situation in Niger Republic following last year’s military coup.
